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April 25, 2007

Movin’ the Party Inside

Despite bad weather, attendees relished a break before finals

Story by: Sarah Acrey

The Shorthorn staff

The Shorthorn: Megumi Rooze

Undeclared freshman Kortnee Copeland rolls down the human bowling lane Tuesday during the ResLife Block Party in the University Center Bluebonnet Ballroom. The event included jugglers, free food and a singer.

Lights covered the entrance to the University Center Bluebonnet Ballroom as a steady stream of students entered the room hoping to leave the stress of upcoming finals behind them for a few hours.

ResLife Block Party (On the Boardwalk) put on its 10th annual event for residents living in dormitories and on-campus apartments. The event included live music, jugglers, games, prizes, photos and balloon-animal making.

The Housing Office, Coca-Cola and the UTA Bookstore sponsored the event, which was free to students living on campus and $3 for the general public. The night included games such as Last Man Standing, Human Bowling and a Money Booth.

English sophomore Jenna Stephens said her favorite part of the event was the games.

“The games were really fun and creative this year,” she said. “I absolutely loved human bowling. We weren’t even trying to hit the pins because it was just hilarious pushing someone around in a plastic ball.”

Jugglers and balloon art could be seen around the room, as an occasional applause could be heard coming from the audience.

Undeclared freshman Issac Davis laughed with friends as he saw a woman riding a unicycle.

“I almost choked when I saw her just glide on by me and my friends,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting them to have entertainment like that here, but I think it’s pretty cool that they do. It makes the environment more relaxing and fun.”

The Shorthorn: Megumi Rooze

Nursing freshman Grasiela Loredo collects fake money Tuesday during the ResLife Block Party in the University Center Bluebonnet Ballroom. This is the 10th annual block party and residents in the dorms and UTA apartments attended for free.

The party included an assortment of food such as hot dogs, kettle chips, caramel apples, popcorn, fresh lemonade and cotton candy, giving the event the look of a carnival on a boardwalk.

Lipscomb Hall resident adviser Erica Finlan hoped the event gave students the opportunity to relax.

“The whole purpose of this is to hopefully give students a chance to take a breather and have some relaxation before finals are officially here,” she said.

Students had the chance to win prizes and take pictures with friends in the form of photo buttons.

“I was worried earlier when they moved the event inside that things might have to change that could affect the way it turned out,” Finlan said. “It looks to me like even if anything did have to change, it didn’t negatively impact the turn out of things. I’m having fun, and I was in definite need of a break such as this.”